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Silk Dresses To The Instagram Power

Could mugs like these be up to anything good? I answer with a happy NO. Peter, resident photographer in mid-laugh over the level of our gin infused delight, would probably agree.

At the moment, these sisters-in-cocktails are all quite sober. One needs a little sobriety for the staggering amount of French seaming and blind stitching going on across the country. Over the next few days, this wee chunk of MSN are all in Silk, and all in the same pattern.

Why did we decide to tackle this self-imposed mini challenge? You may put the blame squarely on the dreamy filtered shoulders of Instagram. If you’re not on it, I highly recommend it for Mood Fabric’s snapshots alone. It’s fabric porn with first looks at new arrivals, and a healthy dose of Swatch. To wit, Valentino Silk Charmeuse panel, wonderfully modeled by Kooan:

Many an Instagram yard has been drooled over and sold via phone, site, horse and buggy.

The Instagram that started it all was this shot of a smash hit indie pattern resting upon this Italian Op-Art Silk Print. Sonja realized we were pattern twins, and I immediately suggested a battle royale. Naturally. Lladybird Lauren wanted in on the action, and let’s face it, MORE PEOPLE IN THE CAGE MATCH EQUALS MORE FUN.

Of course, the fourth wrestler in this throwdown is the Silk itself. So far it’s beating 2/3rds of us about the head and neck area. I decided the Op Art print wanted to be something else, so I beat feet to Mood this weekend. My Metallic Silk Chiffon was purchased (with the highly entertaining help of Kooan) 15 minutes before Mood’s doors closed on Saturday…

…and it’s still folded on my table. I open it occasionally and with great tenderness, while gathering my supplies: mercerized cotton thread. Microtex needles. Super sharp pins. Tissue paper. An extra bottle of Mezcal.

And my phone by my side, for some quick Instagram action shots, naturally. Who knows what barrel of trouble that’ll get me into next.

What Silk did my fellow Lucha Libres choose? Come back tomorrow for challenger number one!

Oh hell, I can’t wait to be the Lauren in that martini embrace. Don’t get your hopes up but there is a small chance Sallie may be in NY with me… I’m working on her. I can’t even deal with how much fun we would have. Can’t wait to see that Anna once you work up the nerve to cut into that awe inducing silk….

Interesting. While I love the silk challenge underway, and can’t wait to see the results, I am uncomfortable with the alcohol innuendos and the use of profanity on a public forum. It seems inappropriate and not well thought out. Please, give this some thought. Chris

hey chris, sorry about that–i can’t find the profanity? we are encouraged to use our own voices here, and although my (often loud) voice does tend to get tipsy, i do temper the swearing over here at MSN.

and indeed, i give a LOT of thought to my posts, even a “quickie” post takes at least an hour before final editing. ah, all the silk seams i could have sewn in that precious hour……

hey chris, sorry about that–i can’t find the profanity? we are encouraged to use our own voices here, and although my (often loud) voice does tend to get tipsy, i do temper the swearing over here at MSN.

and indeed, i give a LOT of thought to my posts, even a “quickie” post takes at least an hour before final editing. ah, all the silk seams i could have sewn in that precious hour……

Barbara JAugust 27, 2013

Sorry if I seem like a killjoy, but I second what Chris said. The profanity is right there, Oona, several times. Just look a little closer. It’s great that you Mood Sewing Network folks encourage each other and I love seeing everyone’s garments, but it’s beginning to sound like an exclusive club in here.

i thought chris meant solely within the post itself; the only thing i could spie there after a few re-reads was “fabric porn.”

as for the comments section/”club,” i think everyone modifies their language depending on the person they’re talking to. for me, that’s not out of exclusivity, that’s out of a (hopeful) understanding of the person i’m talking to. my college girlfriends are a different language than my beloved co-workers, but there’s no secret to any of the languages used.

i’ve made many new friends in the online sewing community, i consider it to be one great big club, and am continually thrilled that the love of this craft can bring people of so many different backgrounds together.

i’m gonna stick up for my fellow MSN sisters here. They are speaking in their voices, voices that Mood obviously was aware of and comfortable with when they were chosen for this project. Personally I don’t find their conversation offensive at all, just exuberant!

Finally, this isn’t an exclusive club just three sewing sisters sharing their joy and love of fabric, pattern and sewing. Not trying to throw wood onto a fire, just stating that there is another way to view their enthusiasm.

Ladies, I can’t wait to see your makes. (Well, I’ve actually already seen Lauren’s since I’m a day late catching up here at MSN, and it’s a beauty.) I think it’s awesome that you’ve used the power of Instagram, Twitter, email, blogs, what-have-you to come together over a shared love of something that’s already really fun and make it even more fun. I’ve often wondered how to handle a month in which I’ve wanted to use the same pattern/fabric as another MSN blogger, and now I’ve seen how to do it right! Get your sew on, ladies! This mini-challenge is sure to up your game!

CherylAugust 28, 2013

Totally enjoyed the ladies conversation…

SewerAugust 28, 2013

I’m familiar with these bloggers from their own blogs and this network. It’s with that background that I state that I agree with the critics above. I find this posts like this extremely cliquish and the constant references to alcohol here and elsewhere juvenile and boring.

SewerAugust 28, 2013

Sorry for the typo. “I find posts like this…”

The intent may not be to exclude, but that is the effect. There have been blog posts in which network members lunched or had drinks at a restaurant and the name wasn’t even mentioned, as if it was an in-group secret. I’m sure the restauranteurs would have liked the publicity and some of us might find ourselves in the Garment District.

Hi, Sewer! Thanks for your input. If restaurants and things like that aren’t mentioned, it’s definitely not to try to keep them secret. We try to keep our posts here on the Mood Sewing Network pretty concise and not to add tons of links since it’s safe to assume that readers are busy and we don’t want to write really long, rambly posts (unlike my personal blog, which sometimes gets a little long-winded and filled with distracting links, ha!). But if you’re planning to visit, reach out to any of us locals through email, Twitter, our blogs, or whatever. I’m always happy to give shopping advice and restaurant recommendations to visitors– I want anyone coming to NYC to have a great time!

SewerAugust 29, 2013

I don’t see how adding the name of a restaurant takes up a lot of space. I mentioned it because it’s occurred more than once in this space or on blogs by Mood Sewing Network people writing about MSN meet-ups in the Garment District.

I know the GD very well, but on’t eat there often, and a few places featured in MSN posts have looked good.

I don’t care about profanity (if there was any) or even drinking references, but these posts often are EXTREMELY self-indulgent and frankly make me more rather than less inclined to shop at Mood. As they are a marketing tool for Mood, it’s important for Mood to get feedback.

SewerAugust 29, 2013

Damn. That one was filled with typos. I said the opposite of what I meant:

“don’t”
“make me LESS rather than MORE inclined to shop at Mood.”

Oh well, many more posts like this and I’ll be unsubscribing from the MSN feed.

OK I don’t really want to add to the drama, but where are these “several” instances of profanity? For educational purposes, I think they should named so other bloggers will know what might be considered offensive to readers. I suppose they mean fabric porn and O. M. F-in. G. The latter because they know what the letters stand for. However I don’t think it’s right to complain and not explain exactly what the problem is. That’s my two cents.